Sony Handycam CCDTRV118/ Hi8 Hi-8 Analog Camcorder

Pros: Good color and picture quality.Inexpensive.User friendly.
Cons: battery is charged in the camera, no separate charger

My previous camcorder was a VHS-C. I wanted to upgrade to a model that had an lcd monitor and a light, but when I went shopping for one, I found that they really aren't in production anymore. I did find a couple of models, but in my opinion they didn't ...

Pros: Easy to use, reasonable cost.
Cons: Need to transfer to DVD, hard to find to buy nowadays.

We've had the Sony Hi-8 for several years now and have never had any problems with it. It is very simple to use and the buttons are clearly marked. My children even use it without any problems. The recording quality is good, although my new dvd ...

Pros: Great picture, clear optical zoom, superior product.
Cons: I can't think of any!

I really enjoy using this fantasic little camcorder. It is very compact, easy on batteries, and loaded with features including a tight optical zoom. Many camcorders offer only a limited optical zoom and add on a digital zoom to make up the difference. The problem with digital zoom is that the picture gets very blocky as you zoom in more and more.

While this camcorder does have a digital zoom ability, you'll hardly ever need to use it since the 20x optical zoom gives a super-clear picture and I really can't think of a reason to use more than a 20x zoom.

Sony camcorders are reliable and the Hi-8 format is very good, rivalling digital camcorders at much less cost. (I prefer Hi-8 to digital as the picture is never "pixelized" as sometimes occurs on a digital camcorder.) Hi-8 tapes also cost less than Digital-8 and will play on more machines.

I have serviced video equipment for over 20 years and Sony always has made a superior product in this field. This camcorder is no exception.